D.C. Council Wants Doctors To Be Able To Prescribe More Medical Marijuana

WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — The D.C. Council wants doctors to be able to prescribe medical marijuana to any patient they think would benefit from it.

Currently, medical marijuana can only be prescribed in the District of Columbia to people suffering from a short list of conditions, including AIDS.

The Washington Post reports that all 13 councilmembers have pledged to support a bill that would eliminate that list and leave decisions about medical marijuana up to doctors.

Medical marijuana has been available in the District since last year, but just 400 patients have been approved for its use. Councilmember Yvette Alexander, who chairs the council’s health committee, says the program needs to be expanded to benefit more residents.

In March, the council voted to decriminalize marijuana possession in the nation’s capital. Those caught possessing an ounce or less of cannabis will be fined $25, but will not face charges. Smoking marijuana in public remains a criminal offense.

(TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)